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    Elastic softening and defect-mediated diffusion in superionic Li2O revealed by molecular dynamics

    Zhifeng Wu, Yiwei You, Fangfang Zhang, Tie-Yu Lü, Xinrui Cao, Yang Sun, Zi-Zhong Zhu, and Shunqing Wu*

    • Department of Physics, OSED, Key Laboratory of Low Dimensional Condensed Matter Physics (Department of Education of Fujian Province), Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China

    • *Contact author: wsq@xmu.edu.cn

    Phys. Rev. B 112, 184106 – Published 12 November, 2025

    DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/4z6n-zfdr

    Abstract

    The superionic transition in lithium oxide (Li2O) presents significant challenges in establishing the structure-property relationship between its microscopic dynamical behavior to macroscopic physical properties. Additionally, the fundamental mechanism driving this transition remains contentious due to competing theoretical interpretations. Using machine learning potentials that maintain ab initio-level precision while enabling extended in both temporal and spatial scales, we systematically investigate lithium-ion diffusion dynamics spanning from crystalline to superionic phases. Our results give a clear physical pattern of Li2O Arrhenius plot throughout three distinct regions. The elastic softening serves as a signal of accelerating of Li-ions movement. Superionic transition is manifested in the melting of the Li sublattice. Dynamical analysis indicates that the superionic transition is driven by the formation of Frenkel pairs. Octahedral interstitial Li-ions, increasing sharply near the superionic state, act as primary diffusion carriers. The tetrahedral Li-ions exhibit much lower individual mobility and play a secondary role in diffusion under superionic state. This highlights the unique defect-mediated nature of diffusion in superionic state.

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